Okay everyone! If you didn't get to log in and listen to tonite's Q&A call on Sexy, Savvy Social Media with me, Mary Agnes Antonopoulos -- that's okay! You can listen to it at your convenience.
I hope this call helps you all to create massive success in social media and social networking. You can certainly reach out to me, Mary Agnes Antonopoulos, your personal Social Media Strategist, any time you need a quick question.
To your success,
Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Social Media Strategist and Kick-Ass Writer
http://www.RockawayWriter.com
MA@RockawayWriter.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Leela Francis Hosts "Savvy, Sexy Social Media" with Social Media Expert, Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Hello everyone! The recording of our Savvy Sexy Social Media call is here! www.bit.ly/SavvySexySocialMedia (We recorded the call a second time, and it's great!!!)
Listen ASAP because Mary Agnes also put together a great offer to help you all launch a real and vibrantly successful social media presence. You can also see the offer page at http://www.vividlywoman.com/socialmedia.htm
Mary Agnes felt SO badly about the glitch during the first call (and the 150 live listeners) that she's offered to do a LIVE Q&A for everyone on Wednesday 2/24 at 6pm PST / 9pm NY Time. (wow!) You can register for this call, and the entire "Doing Business the Goddess Way" at http://bit.ly/BusinessTheGoddessWay
The call-in info next week for the Live Q&A on Savvy Sexy Social Media will be distributed next week -- and we'll send out a separate invite asap.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Rule Number 1 and 2 for Online Writing
To begin with, writing for online purposes means web copy, ezines, blogs, email, etc.
The first rule to be effective in this venue is: Write what you know, and the second is: No big ramp up.
Let's talk about the second rule first: No big ramp up. In today's world of "click-on-peas-to-get-to-carrots," nobody can afford to have a big plate of verbal appetizers out at the party. Quite simply, there are seventeen other parties going on down the block from you. So you have to grab that guest and tell them the meat of your message the minute they walk through the door. Be compelling and be creative; this is definitely the time to use great language and maybe even a little humor. It is not the time to flood them with facts and figures and yada yada.
If you are interesting enough, they might stick around for round two. And if you’re selling something, this is the place for it. Don’t only put your product onto your “store” page. Talk about your BEST product on your home page’s second paragraph. Have an easy click to your “shop” right there, within your text – not just along the top or bottom of the page. I do not want MY store to be an afterthought – I want it to be something they do that very moment, before the phone rings or some other distraction drags your audience away from your “house.”
And remember, your website is a LOT like your home. Make sure it’s warm and inviting, and keep in mind that no one comes back to visit because your sofa is a great color or they like your lighting. Like your home, it’s the personality of the people who live there – so that is what you somehow need to capture on your home page. Be daring, be bold, be crazy. And if it’s the most important thing, remember Rule #1, say it first.
The other most important thing about writing for cyberspace is to write what you know. If you blog on a regular basis or send out a weekly or monthly ezine, this becomes even MORE important than you might think. The reason is that you will be writing on this subject all the time. So you need enough material for at least fifty columns and you need to be interested in it. When I put up my first blog, for instance, I puzzled about what should be my subject. I mulled over many things that interested me, but in the end, I chose my home town. This would practically guarantee a “warm” base of readers to begin with, and anyone who lived in or around Monroe became a potential subject. I was guaranteed enough material for a lifetime of blogs.
Finally, no matter what your life is about right now, if you are a business person of any kind, DO make sure you have a website, a weekly blog and a monthly ezine at the very least. If you sell a product, have a shopping cart and a “store” even if you only have two or three items up for purchase. If you sell a service, start thinking about publishing articles online about what you do in order to grow your credibility (http://www.ezinearticles.com is a great article server and easy to use). Finally, consider launching an expert teleseminar series. Even for free, this will grow your client base by leaps and bounds.
Reach out to me if you need a hand with any of this (FreelanceMaryAgnes@yahoo.com). Advice is free, and we can work out the rest.
All the best, Mary Antonopoulos (Mary Vetell), Freelance Writer and Social Networking Expert
Local Blog: www.LifeInMonroeNY.blogspot.com
Body Image Mastery Blog: www.FatGorgeousAss.blogspot.com
Organizing Blog: www.KickingOutChaos.blogspot.com
The first rule to be effective in this venue is: Write what you know, and the second is: No big ramp up.
Let's talk about the second rule first: No big ramp up. In today's world of "click-on-peas-to-get-to-carrots," nobody can afford to have a big plate of verbal appetizers out at the party. Quite simply, there are seventeen other parties going on down the block from you. So you have to grab that guest and tell them the meat of your message the minute they walk through the door. Be compelling and be creative; this is definitely the time to use great language and maybe even a little humor. It is not the time to flood them with facts and figures and yada yada.
If you are interesting enough, they might stick around for round two. And if you’re selling something, this is the place for it. Don’t only put your product onto your “store” page. Talk about your BEST product on your home page’s second paragraph. Have an easy click to your “shop” right there, within your text – not just along the top or bottom of the page. I do not want MY store to be an afterthought – I want it to be something they do that very moment, before the phone rings or some other distraction drags your audience away from your “house.”
And remember, your website is a LOT like your home. Make sure it’s warm and inviting, and keep in mind that no one comes back to visit because your sofa is a great color or they like your lighting. Like your home, it’s the personality of the people who live there – so that is what you somehow need to capture on your home page. Be daring, be bold, be crazy. And if it’s the most important thing, remember Rule #1, say it first.
The other most important thing about writing for cyberspace is to write what you know. If you blog on a regular basis or send out a weekly or monthly ezine, this becomes even MORE important than you might think. The reason is that you will be writing on this subject all the time. So you need enough material for at least fifty columns and you need to be interested in it. When I put up my first blog, for instance, I puzzled about what should be my subject. I mulled over many things that interested me, but in the end, I chose my home town. This would practically guarantee a “warm” base of readers to begin with, and anyone who lived in or around Monroe became a potential subject. I was guaranteed enough material for a lifetime of blogs.
Finally, no matter what your life is about right now, if you are a business person of any kind, DO make sure you have a website, a weekly blog and a monthly ezine at the very least. If you sell a product, have a shopping cart and a “store” even if you only have two or three items up for purchase. If you sell a service, start thinking about publishing articles online about what you do in order to grow your credibility (http://www.ezinearticles.com is a great article server and easy to use). Finally, consider launching an expert teleseminar series. Even for free, this will grow your client base by leaps and bounds.
Reach out to me if you need a hand with any of this (FreelanceMaryAgnes@yahoo.com). Advice is free, and we can work out the rest.
All the best, Mary Antonopoulos (Mary Vetell), Freelance Writer and Social Networking Expert
Local Blog: www.LifeInMonroeNY.blogspot.com
Body Image Mastery Blog: www.FatGorgeousAss.blogspot.com
Organizing Blog: www.KickingOutChaos.blogspot.com
Monday, May 26, 2008
Social Networking
I like to keep this blog really simple. It probably is not the blog for those of you who embrace and understand the nuances to how the www-dot-marketing world of today really works. This means those of you who have already finished reading, “How to Make My Space Your Space,” and have taken sixteen webinars on creating exciting ezines.
But for those of us who hear social networking and wonder if there’s a vaccine for it, I have a few words of advice. Number one: There is a virtual world out there, and if you already have a profile on LinkedIn, Facebook or Myspace, you’re on your way.
And that’s a good thing, because social networking is not going away. It is a big deal, it is very inexpensive and it works. So at the very least, put up a page on the three biggest players at the virtual game. Be sure to include a bio, a picture and your contact information.
Then block out three hours every single week to accept new “friends” or “links” and to respond to people who discover (or rediscover) you. (Don’t worry, it’s more likely to be your high school gym teacher or your first boss than The Cable Guy).
With the two hours left over, take the tutorials for each community. Learn the basics of how to build your network and send announcements to your own friends.
Whether you want to promote your business or just participate with like-minded people about your religion, your politics or who remembers that place you used to vacation when you were a kid (Far Rockaway Beach anybody?), remember that the virtual world is virtually unbeatable.
If you need a hand getting started, or writing your bio is baffling, reach out to me by email (FreelanceMaryAgnes@yahoo.com). Advice is free, and we can work out the rest.
See you on Facebook!
Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Freelance Writer and Social Networking Expert
Local Blog: www.LifeInMonroeNY.blogspot.com
Business Tips: www.FreelanceMaryAgnes.blogspot.com
Life Coaching Blog: www.FatGorgeousAss.blogspot.com
Organizing Blog: www.KickingOutChaos.blogspot.com
But for those of us who hear social networking and wonder if there’s a vaccine for it, I have a few words of advice. Number one: There is a virtual world out there, and if you already have a profile on LinkedIn, Facebook or Myspace, you’re on your way.
And that’s a good thing, because social networking is not going away. It is a big deal, it is very inexpensive and it works. So at the very least, put up a page on the three biggest players at the virtual game. Be sure to include a bio, a picture and your contact information.
Then block out three hours every single week to accept new “friends” or “links” and to respond to people who discover (or rediscover) you. (Don’t worry, it’s more likely to be your high school gym teacher or your first boss than The Cable Guy).
With the two hours left over, take the tutorials for each community. Learn the basics of how to build your network and send announcements to your own friends.
Whether you want to promote your business or just participate with like-minded people about your religion, your politics or who remembers that place you used to vacation when you were a kid (Far Rockaway Beach anybody?), remember that the virtual world is virtually unbeatable.
If you need a hand getting started, or writing your bio is baffling, reach out to me by email (FreelanceMaryAgnes@yahoo.com). Advice is free, and we can work out the rest.
See you on Facebook!
Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Freelance Writer and Social Networking Expert
Local Blog: www.LifeInMonroeNY.blogspot.com
Business Tips: www.FreelanceMaryAgnes.blogspot.com
Life Coaching Blog: www.FatGorgeousAss.blogspot.com
Organizing Blog: www.KickingOutChaos.blogspot.com
Monday, May 19, 2008
Good-bye Fat Secretary (or What's in a Name?)
In the last few weeks of working with clients on ezines and blogs and website revisions (oh my), it seems the common word stuck in everyone’s throat is branding. I just want to put my two cents in and say that the name-game has really become a roadblock for more than one of my colleagues lately. Honestly, I don’t care if you call yourself Joe Shmoe -- if your product kicks ass, people will buy it. Spending oodles of money and buckets of time worrying about whether to call myself Freelance Writer to the Stars or Commander of the Written Word is just silly. Does having a catchy tag have value? Sure it does. But you can mull it over during the next six months while you work your ass off. Do not stand like a deer in the headlights and be paralyzed wondering what to name the baby.
(By the way, I have decided to call myself Good-Bye Fat Secretary.)
The truth is that names do not generate clients. Marketing generates clients – and WORK generates clients. Even if you have to give your work away – keep working. I don’t mean to de-value yourself or your product – but do stay in front of your client base. Offer to give free seminars and webinars to anyone who will let you. If you’re an accountant, go in to your local high school and talk about the impact of learning to save and budget before heading off to college. If you’re a cook, lecture at the local women’s organization on 20-minute meals (a life-saver for working moms). And you know what? It will be amazing how this kind of networking turns into clients and cash.
And no matter what type of business you have or what you do for a living, in today’s world, not having a website is like not having a telephone. It is an important reference tool and snapshot of who you are, what you do, and what sets you apart from the crowd. If you need help with networking, definitely reach out to me – advice is free, and we can work out the rest. If you need help with a simple, affordable website (or revisions and jazz-it-up for the one you have now), reach out to my business partner, Anthony Church. http://www.hpwebsolutions.com/
Yours truly, Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Goodbye Fat Secretary, Hello Commander of the Written Word
Social Networking Expert and Guerilla Marketing
email: FreelanceMaryAgnes@yahoo.com
cell: 845-325-4492
(By the way, I have decided to call myself Good-Bye Fat Secretary.)
The truth is that names do not generate clients. Marketing generates clients – and WORK generates clients. Even if you have to give your work away – keep working. I don’t mean to de-value yourself or your product – but do stay in front of your client base. Offer to give free seminars and webinars to anyone who will let you. If you’re an accountant, go in to your local high school and talk about the impact of learning to save and budget before heading off to college. If you’re a cook, lecture at the local women’s organization on 20-minute meals (a life-saver for working moms). And you know what? It will be amazing how this kind of networking turns into clients and cash.
And no matter what type of business you have or what you do for a living, in today’s world, not having a website is like not having a telephone. It is an important reference tool and snapshot of who you are, what you do, and what sets you apart from the crowd. If you need help with networking, definitely reach out to me – advice is free, and we can work out the rest. If you need help with a simple, affordable website (or revisions and jazz-it-up for the one you have now), reach out to my business partner, Anthony Church. http://www.hpwebsolutions.com/
Yours truly, Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
Goodbye Fat Secretary, Hello Commander of the Written Word
Social Networking Expert and Guerilla Marketing
email: FreelanceMaryAgnes@yahoo.com
cell: 845-325-4492
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Freelance Writer, Copyeditor and Social Networking Expert
So the secret is out, I am never going back to work. Somehow it is oxymoronic that I now work harder than I ever have, and yet work is the last word I would use to describe what I do. The phrase, "I'm on deadline," has become my best friend and mantra on a daily basis, and I have to set alarms all over the house to remind me to do basic things, like eat and sleep. Quite simply, I am living my dream -- you know, the dream we hardly admit to ourselves as life races by day after day. The dream we almost forgot we ever had. But after the death of my closest friend, followed up by the most difficult professional betrayal I ever experienced, I took out my pen and started writing again just to keep breathing.
Most of you have been inundated with my work over the last few months as I launched my professional writing business and discovered, much to my own amazement, that finding clients was not going to be my problem. Theresa said it a long time ago, she said that as a writer, I was magnificent. I was so embarrased at anyone thinking that, especially Theresa -- who was all things magnificent herself. But to my utter awe, at least as a writer, I think maybe she was right. And I have finally taken the advice she gave me almost eleven years ago -- she said, "Stop eating, and stop sleeping, don't get the mail, don't walk the dog, forget whatever occupies your mind every day and just write. Do nothing but write." Some day I'll post what she was reading to prompt such a beautiful sentence -- a life changing sentence. That statement landed in my heart and it started to grow roots ... and wings.
I will post here about my business (Freelance Mary Agnes Antonopoulos) and about what services I offer and some ideas for other writers to use in their own venues.
I'll also post business-writing tips and easy-to-use social networking ideas. Definitely feel free to call me with any questions. Time is free ;)
I greatly look forward to hearing from anyone, any time. Life is a precious rare gift. To be able to do what we love is a mercy beyond description.
Peace, Mary Agnes
Most of you have been inundated with my work over the last few months as I launched my professional writing business and discovered, much to my own amazement, that finding clients was not going to be my problem. Theresa said it a long time ago, she said that as a writer, I was magnificent. I was so embarrased at anyone thinking that, especially Theresa -- who was all things magnificent herself. But to my utter awe, at least as a writer, I think maybe she was right. And I have finally taken the advice she gave me almost eleven years ago -- she said, "Stop eating, and stop sleeping, don't get the mail, don't walk the dog, forget whatever occupies your mind every day and just write. Do nothing but write." Some day I'll post what she was reading to prompt such a beautiful sentence -- a life changing sentence. That statement landed in my heart and it started to grow roots ... and wings.
I will post here about my business (Freelance Mary Agnes Antonopoulos) and about what services I offer and some ideas for other writers to use in their own venues.
I'll also post business-writing tips and easy-to-use social networking ideas. Definitely feel free to call me with any questions. Time is free ;)
I greatly look forward to hearing from anyone, any time. Life is a precious rare gift. To be able to do what we love is a mercy beyond description.
Peace, Mary Agnes
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